Maximum Metal Rating Legend

Tearabyte - Gloom Factory 2004 Screaming Ferret Wreckords reviewed by: EC

Track Listing1. Gloom Factory 2. Doom Gloom 3. Technophobic 4. Shred The Misery 5. Romper Stomper 6. Emotinal Debris 7. Suffer 8. All Grey 9. Insanity 10. Empowered Hate 11. Comfortably Numb 12. Bonus Track

Screaming Ferret Wreckords have been very busy of late, going back to basics recently by releasing new records from Anvil and Meliah Rage. Now they are back again, this time concentrating all efforts on Tearabyte, an interesting thrash act that combine the sonic fury of nu-metal and new wave of American heavy metal bands with the traditional soundscape of 80s bands like Slayer and Testament. No rapping, no melodic chorus parts, just straight forward, non-stop thrash metal sure to please loyal traditionalists of the genre.

Tearbyte was originally formed in LA in 1998, before relocating to Dallas, Texas. The band has released two records thus far, "Doom Generation" and "Embrace Oblivion", with "Gloom Factory" marking the band's third album to date. It is really hard to find a traditional thrash band in today's world of death-thrash hybrids. With more and more bands playing the Swedish "Gothenburg" style metal, the genre is slowy starting to paint itself into a corner. With a band like "Tearabyte", the sky's the limit because they aren't restrained by the commercial aspect of that particular style of play. Tearabyte just stick to their guns, playing the same type of thrash that has been in effect for 20 years, the same formula that is consistently acceptable to a majority of old-school headbangers.

This trio consists of bassist/vocalist Al Mead, guitarist Kevin Mead, and drummer Jeff Owens. Vocalist Mead is mid-range through and through, really refusing to bend the rules and allow death growls or falsetto to leak through, which is a good thing considering there is so much of that stuff going around. With "Gloom Factory", bands like Destructor and Breaker come to mind, with the same school of thought that less is indeed more. These cuts are very simplistic in nature, not technical or speedy by any stretch, but still very enjoyable. The same folks that like bands like Anvil will love Tearabyte. They just have that mentality of staying focused and determined, constantly moving forward at one speed, thrash, thrash, and thrash some more.


--EC 10.13.04